Muslim Magomaev

He was born in Baku. Muslim Magomaev studied at the music school attached to the Baku Conservatory (piano and composition class). In 1956–59 he studied at the Asaf Zeynalli Baku Music College. In 1961 he made his debut with the Baku Song and Dance Ensemble. In 1963 Muslim Magomaev's first solo concert took place at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall. In the same year he also became an opera soloist, joining the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. In 1964–65 he took additional professional training at the La Scala opera house in Milan, Italy. In 1968 he graduated from the Baku Conservatory. In 1973 Magomaev received the title of People's Artist of the USSR, as well as of the Azerbaijan SSR. In 1975–1989 he was artistic director of the Azerbaijan Estrada-Symphony Orchestra. Outside the USSR he gave concerts in France, Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Finland, Canada, Iran and elsewhere. He wrote more than twenty songs and music for stage productions and musicals. In 1998 he ceased his creative activity. He died in Moscow.